The Republican journal., 1887-09-29

by the cIamor as well as the unusual hour. the
people came focking from all directions. For
the last time Hidalgo mounted to his pulpit,
and with sad face unfoded to the beloved
people all his hopes and plans. He told them
that they had been slaves for centuries in the
land where their fathers ruled as monarchs;
that now was their opportunity to recover
from the cruel Spanarls their stolen lands and
liberty. Here was freedom, if they would fight
for it, and he, himself, would lead them, wheth-
er to victory or death. Said he: "Will you be-
come Napoecn's slaves, or will you arise as
patriots to the defence Of your homes and your
religion?
The response from hundreds of eager throats
nearly shook down the old halls in its wild en-
thlSiasm-'' Tic0 muestrG Sonora de GuddG-
lupe! Tird la Isdependencid! Muera ct neal
gobifeno! Mueron los Gdthupinas Long
live our Lady of Guadalupe (the Creole mother
Long live Independence. Perish the bad gov
crnment. Death to the Spaniards.
Live, then, and follow your Cure. who has
loved you as his children" was IIi,lalyo's cX-
horation. This was the famous
"GRITO DE DOLOREs,'
which became the watchword of the Liberals
throughout their long and weary struggle.
And thus an ignorant band Of Indians and
Crcoles, without money. arms, skill, or anything
but enthusiasm, led by a Priest whose life had
been most humble and whose tastes all leaned
toward peace and quictness, arrayed them
selves against a powerful nation possessed of
overwhelming numbers, wealth. influence, and
all the arts and machinery of war.
After all the disabilities so long imposed upon
them. their first self-taught lessons in military
life must have been hard indeed for these poor
Indians. Called by Hiial COS eloquence they
came by thousands. and when he raised for his
banner a rude picture Of Our Lady of Guada-
lupe. the movement assumed the character of
a crusade. They equipped and supported them
selves. and even the women assisted, preceding
the column in the march and performing the
functions of cooks, nurses and purveyors. In
all those external appointments which give
prestige and power to military organizations,
they were utterly destitute. but in high-soucd
patriotism the world has never seen their SUI
periors.
In Il letter like this we cannot follow the
trials and trunlnhs of the cause; but the heroic
sacrifices and deeds of vaor Of this first army of
independence are embamcd in history and ell
craven on the hearts of their countrymen.
Alas that in one short year, after the most
brilliant successes and disastrous defeats, all
who were left of this noble army Of patriots
were BETRAYED. imprisoned and shot, sealing
with their blood their faith in the cause.
Throughout all these varied experiences Hi
da'-o remained the same. and whether general
iS>mo or private soldier. it was all one to him
Ion" as the cause advanced. At this time
he was lifty-ci@lt years of age. and is described
is rather above the medium height of stout
proportions. rudy compile Xon. and robust
constitution. His well moulded head was bald
on the top. his long hair nearly white, forhcad
massive. features large. lips thin, eyebrows
very prominent. face cean-Shaven, and The
brilliant black eyes betrayed the activity of his
mind. His heart was broad and sympathetic.
manners winning. and his voice vibrating, So
norou> and extremely pleasing to the ear TO
the tongue Of a Phillips he added the pen of
Garrison. the will of a Hancock, the fanaticism
of John Brown am! the heart of a Lincoln; and
like the latter, he proclaimed the abolition of
slavery. Although he has been called
''TIIE WASHINGTON OF MEXICo'
there is no one of our American heroes with
whom he can appropriately be compared. Had
Iial@o possessed Washimgton's cool. patient,
Irresistible perseverance, his cause might have
sooner tritlmphcd; hut had such been his char
acler he would never have launched his ''Grito''
at such fearful risk.
Though he discarded the ca>sock for the mill
itary cloak. Ee never quite forgot his early
training. Travelling from village to village, in
citing the Indians to rebellion, he always wore
an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, suspend
ell by a chain around his neck. After harangu-
ing the people he would suddenly look down
at his breast and address the image in this fash
ion: Holy Virgin of Guadalupe. Mary, mother
OF God Behold our country-behold our
wrongs! Do>t thou desire that we be delivered
from our tyrants-dost thou wish lis to slay the
Ganchupinas"
The image had movable head. fastened to
spring, which he pulled by jerking cord con-
ceaied beneath his vest. As Guadalupe was
made to respond with vigorous mods to every
Interrogation the effect was electrical
Verify. Padre IIidalgo was many-sided, rare
old man. EXcommunicatcd from the Church,
BETRAYED into the hands of the Spanards by his
most trusted associates. apparently deserted by
God and man, he was shot within few months
of that 10Th Of Dec, 1910, when his 'Grito'
was raised in the little church of Dolores.
FANNIE b. WARD.